Inspired by a vintage 1920s pattern, Zora is a smart cardigan
that features an open shawl collar and the long
lines typical of the Jazz
Age. Just like its namesake, the intrepid American
author and folklorist Zora Neale Hurston, this
cardigan is relaxed yet sophisticated in any
setting.

As versatile as it is snappy, Zora can be worn with a shawl pin
or
brooch, belted, or just worn open for a more
casual look. A slight
flare at the hips is flattering to the curvy
figure, and a wide section
of ribbing at the waist provides the cardigan
with a bit of thoroughly
modern tailoring.

Don't be afraid of the finer gauge -- Zora knits up surprisingly
quickly, and the lace pattern is deceptively
easy to memorize.

Knit in a light but warm and
luscious wool/silk blend with vivacious color
and a luxurious drape, it makes a great layering
piece that you can
depend on year-round.

Recommended needle size[always use a needle
size that gives you the gauge
listed below -- every knitter's
gauge is unique] 1
US #3/3.25mm circular needle, 40 inches
or longerNote: If preferred, back, front, and sleeves can be knit using straight
needles. Front band/collar will require a long circular needle due to large
number of sts.

When increasing and decreasing in pattern (when shaping
sleeves and armholes, for example), there will be times
when there are not enough sts to work a full Quatrefoil
Eyelet motif. When this happens, work these sts in stockinette
st instead.

DIRECTIONS

BACKNote: For back, work edge sts as follows:
On RS rows, sl first st purlwise, then
bring yarn between needles to back of work before knitting
next st; k last st of row.
On WS rows, sl first st purlwise; k last
st.

LEFT FRONTNote: For left front, work edge sts as follows:
On RS rows, sl first st purlwise, then
bring yarn between needles to back of work before knitting
next st; k last st of row.
On WS rows, p first st; k last st.
For both right and left fronts, sts at
front edge are not slipped; slipping these sts would make
it difficult to pick up correct number of sts along this
edge when working front band. Sts along side edge are slipped,
to make it easy to sew side seams.

When all neckline and armhole decreases have been worked,
13[17, 19, 21, 23, 27, 29] sts remain. Continue in pattern
until work measures same as back to beginning of shoulder
shaping, ending with a WS row.

When all neckline and armhole decreases have been worked,
13[17, 19, 21, 23, 27, 29] sts remain. Continue in pattern
until work measures same as back to beginning of shoulder
shaping, ending with a RS row.

SLEEVES (Make 2) Note: For sleeve, work edge sts as follows:
On RS rows, sl first st purlwise, then
bring yarn between needles to back of work before knitting
next st; k last st of row.
On WS rows, sl first st purlwise; k last
st.

Work Row 1 of Quatrefoil Eyelet Pattern. As for back,
first and last sts of each row are not counted in st pattern.

Note: As written, sleeves are 17.5[18, 18.5, 19, 19.25,
19.25, 19.25] inches long. If you wish to shorten the sleeves
by more than about 0.5 inch, work fewer rows between increase
rows in the last half of the sleeve.

FINISHING
Weave in ends and block pieces lightly, taking care not to stretch
ribbing at waist and cuffs while blocking. If steam blocking,
avoid these areas entirely.

Fold hem facing of fronts and back to WS of work and
sew in place, taking care not to sew too tightly or distort
fabric.

Sew shoulder seams.

Front Bands and Collar:
Beginning at lower right
front corner, with RS facing and using circular needle,
pick up and k 4 sts for every 5 rows along right front
edge to top of waistband, 1 st for every row along
right front neckline edge, 1 st for every BO st along
back neckline, 1 st for every row along left front
neckline edge to top of waistband, and 4 sts for every
5 rows along left front edge to lower left front corner.

Count your sts. It is important to have an even number
of sts; if you have an odd number, decrease 1 st when
working the next row.

If you have a multiple of 4 sts, work 2x2 Rib as follows:Row 1 [WS]: Sl 1, [p2,
k2] to last 3 sts, p2, k1.Row 2 [RS]: Sl 1, [k2,
p2] to last 3 sts, k3.

Kristen Rengren is the author of Vintage Baby Knits: More than
40
Heirloom Patterns from the 1920s to the
1950s. Her designs draw on her experience as a long-time collector
of vintage clothing and a former vintage
clothing dealer, and on her collection
of thousands of vintage knitting patterns.
Kristen recently launched her own independently
published line of original patterns. She
has also
designed for Interweave, Vogue Knitting,
Blue Sky Alpacas, and the
Vermont Organic Fiber Company.

She blogs
about designing, about vintage knitting,
and occasionally, about jam and pie,
at retroknit.net.